03
Jan

Why do you make a New Year resolution?

Why do you make a New Year resolution?

Transform 2016I’ve never understood the whole New Year resolution thing. To wake up one morning and make a decision that I’m going to lose 10 pounds (which is a major effort for me) or to just “know” what my huge goal is going to be for the year just doesn’t work.

Why? There are several reasons:

  1. Change can be difficult. It takes focused effort and a plan to make an effective change. For me, it is more than just words. It is a mindset.
  2. Sometimes a New Years resolution don’t work because the end goal needs to be broken down into multiple steps.
  3. I like to include accountability as part of my goals. Sometimes this is an app that will help me make changes and sometimes it is a person that I can talk to about my successes. (Finding the person who is truly interested and excited about my goals is more difficult than finding an app).

This is why I don’t make New Year resolutions. The idea is great. And, just like everyone else, I have made them in the past, went 100 miles an hour to reach them – only to crash and burn within the first 30 days. It’s kind of like the days of the cartoon road runner. Remember how fast he ran – and he could stop on a dime?Road Runner

Here are my 3 top tips to help you reach your goals this year and avoid the run fast then eeek syndrome.

Goals are achievable when they can be broken down into doable chunks that:

  1. Fit into your schedule
  2. Fit into your budget
  3. Fit into your lifestyle – or improve your lifestyle

Tip #1: Take your big goal and break it down into doable chunks. Remember, your goal is to make this change over the period of a year – not a month!

Tip #2: Write this all down.  A journal is a great place to start. Putting a pencil to paper is shown to be a supportive way to hold ourselves accountable to what we have done – and what we haven’t done to work toward even the smallest goal.

Tip #3: Don’t give yourself a reason to quit! Don’t let yourself off of the hook so easy. So what…if you ate something that you shouldn’t have eaten. So what, if you didn’t get to the gym today. So what…if you didn’t get that closet organized?

No matter what your goal is, odds are that the reason that you want to make a change didn’t get that way over night and it isn’t going to change overnight either. Things take time to change – the creation of new habits takes time. You have to remember not to give up on yourself – and don’t let yourself off the hook so easy!

Passion PlannerMy first change for 2016 –  I just started using the Passion Planner for my written calendar. It includes a place to set your goals, a place for reflection and accountability too! Everything that I talked about above. By clicking on the link to their website you can download part of the planner to give it a try!

Our facebook page is full of motivation and inspirational tips and ideas to help you reach your goals to get organized this month. And – just so you know – I’m all in with you! Yesterday I reorganized our family room. It took a total of about 3 hours, and while I was at it, the room got a good cleaning too. We even set up a small desk for our 7 year old to do her homework.

It’s 2016 and time to transform your life. I hope that Organization Direct will be able to motivate, inspire and help keep you on track. I also want to help you enjoy the smallest of success so please feel free to share it here!